i look into the face of my younger self
and wonder
how anyone could willingly hurt her
little pink cheeks
overloaded with freckles
born from sunbathing on the slide in July
funny crooked teeth
stretched into a smile
i remember my smiles feeling so unnatural
and i am amazed at how well i hid it
tiny little fingers with purple painted nails
i\'ve always loved the little details
she looked so young
yet i know she felt much older
only seven years of life
& already so much responsibility to shoulder
how could he have screamed at this child?
threatened to hurt her?
how did she gather the courage
to shout back
at someone five times her size?
i look into the face of my younger self
and see fear
perhaps because the feeling is so familiar
i can spot it in a room of emotion
instantly
i was so small
i still feel small
and fearful
but now i have hope
i wish i could show my younger self
who she will become
i wish i could carry her on my back
away from the war-zone
to my modern-day bedroom
watch her smile
seeing i still have all of her old books
and the walls are pink
i\'m not a huge fan of the colour
but i know it is her favourite
i want to hold her in my lap
and show her
i still cry at everything
i can\'t imagine the difference
of having a little validation
exactly when it is needed
i look in the mirror
see my own face
and wonder
how anyone could willingly hurt her.
13:57pm - 19/02/24.